| 6 | St Mirren | 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | -9 | 41 |
| 7 | Hearts | 33 | 11 | 7 | 15 | -1 | 40 |
| 8 | Motherwell | 33 | 11 | 6 | 16 | -19 | 39 |
| 9 | Kilmarnock | 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | -20 | 35 |
| 10 | Ross County | 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | -23 | 35 |
Motherwell FC today notified the Scottish FA of the clubs’ intent to contest the fixed two-match suspension offered to Darren Randolph by the Compliance Officer.
The club lodged the official appeal before 3pm today and the matter will now be referred to the Judicial Panel with a Fast Track Tribunal convened tomorrow (Thursday, 29th November).
The club will make no further public comment on the matter until that process is complete.
Today’s Under 20s match with Inverness CT has been postponed by the match official who was not satisfied the pitch was playable.
Despite protests from both clubs who were happy with the conditions, referee Graeme Stewart forced the cancellation sighting a firm pitch.
No date has, as yet, been set for the rearranged match.
Highlights from Tannadice as goals from Michael Higdon and Chris Humphrey give ‘Well an excellent 2-1 win over Dundee Utd.
-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-
Jamaican International Chris Humphrey couldn’t hide his delight at scoring the ‘goal of his dreams’ to give ‘Well all three points at Tannadice.
The 2-times capped winger collected the ball some thirty yards from goal before unleashing a thunderbolt into the top left corner leaving ‘keeper Radosław Cierzniak absolutely helpless.
It was a goal fit to win any game at any level and the former West Brom and Shrewsbury Town man was delighted with his first of the campaign.
“The boys will tell you I score them all the time in training,” he joked.
“It’s the best goal I’ve ever scored in my career and even my dreams. Henrik was brilliant today and didn’t give the defenders a minute’s peace and when I was so wide open he saw it and played me in.
“I was in two minds whether to hit it or just try to run him but I thought I may as well just smash it and luckily it went in.
“Football is a funny old game. You can either be doing really well or you can be having one but it’s how you cope when you’re going through a bad run. It’s important just to work as hard as you can for the team and you will always come good.”
-WATCH THE INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-
Steelmen boss Stuart McCall was delighted with his side after another terrific away-day win in the SPL.
The Fir Parkers scored twice inside the opening ten minutes and that was enough to carry them over the line despite a goal from Jon Daly and an hour worth of pressure.
The win takes ‘Well joint second in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, just one point off top, and McCall couldn’t hide his delight at taking the three points.
[pullquote]It wasn’t a vintage footballing display but it was one with plenty of guts and character.[/pullquote]
“First and foremost, it was three fantastic points,” he said.
“As much as we want to come away and play great football and pass and move, sometimes you just have to dig in and I thought that was the case today.
“We have a young back four who were up against Daly, Russell and Skacel and they’ve all dug in and scrapped for every ball.
“We’d have liked to keep the ball better at times but I don’t want to be too critical. Okay, it was frustrating at times but there was a lot of good play and as much as they had a lot of pressure, I think we’ve had the better of the chances.
“It wasn’t a vintage footballing display but it was one with plenty of guts and character.”
-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-
Pictures from the 2-1 win over Dundee Utd in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Tannadice.
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[tab:Match report]
Andy Ross at Tannadice
Motherwell made it three away wins on the bounce with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.
Michael Higdon capitalised on hesitancy amongst the home defence to fire ‘Well ahead after seven minutes.
A wonderful 20-yard strike from Chris Humphrey doubled the Fir Park side’s advantage three minutes later, however, Jon Daly netted his fifth goal of the season to reduce the deficit before half-time.
The Steelmen spent much of the second half on the back-foot but showed fantastic determination to hold out for a win that moves them to within a point of top-spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Stuart McCall’s side threatened in the opening minute as Shaun Hutchinson headed wide of the target from Tom Hateley’s fizzing corner.
The hosts were handed a goal scoring chance of their own after Hutchinson bundled over Russell 20 yards from goal, however Barry Douglas could only direct a tame free-kick directly at Darren Randolph.
Motherwell opened the scoring after seven minutes when Hateley’s delivery evaded all in Tangerine and allowed Higdon to coolly slot the ball past Radoslaw Cierzniak.
Only three minutes later the visitors doubled their advantage in stunning style, Ojamaa did well to find Humphrey and the Jamaican international burst forward before unleashing a stunning right-footed effort that found the top corner.
It was clear the visitors were in the mood and Hateley fired over the top before Ojamma’s low drive nestled in the side-netting.
Randolph was forced to tip Gavin Gunning’s powerful free-kick over the crossbar as the home side attempted to find a way back into the match.
Motherwell continued to demonstrate a threat on the counter-attack and only a crucial intervention from Douglas prevented Higdon profiting from Murphy’s dangerous cut-back.
Referee Bobby Madden waved play-on just before the half-hour mark when Hateley appeared to foul Stuart Armstrong just inside the area – the home support were furious, but they did not have to wait long for their side to find a way back into the match.
Hutchinson was caught out by Sean Dillion’s long ball and Daly controlled the ball before slamming the ball into the net.
An excellent piece of goalkeeping from Cierzniak denied Higdon from doubling his tally four minutes before the interval.
United began the second half in a positive fashion and Randolph had to be alert to divert John Rankin’s shot over the top.
The Motherwell goal continued to live a charmed life and Daly failed to make contact with Russell’s dangerous cross before Skacel somehow failed to find the target when the ball fell to him 10 yards from goal.
Daly’s looping shot found the top of Randolph’s goal, before Rankin made way for Michael Gardyne with 18 minutes remaining.
Cierzniak produced another excellent finger-tip save to keep out Murphy’s low shot, in what was Motherwell’s first attempt of the second half.
McCall looked to bolster his midfield when he introduced Stuart Carswell in place of Ojamaa.
Houston was forced into a second change five minutes from time when Willo Flood limped off to be replaced with Richie Ryan.
The home supporters thought their side had ensured at least a share of the spoils when Skacel bundled home after Daly’s cut-back, however he was denied by the offside flag.
Two minutes of added time brought further pressure from the home side, but they were unable to breakthrough the stubborn Motherwell rearguard.
[tab:As it happened]
Ally Reilly at Tannadice
93mins: FULL TIME!
90mins: Hiding behind a chair in the gantry too scared to watch!
89mins: Randolph to the rescue as he palms Gardyne’s volley to safety!
86mins: United score!! But it’s offside. Phew!
83mins: Dundee United sub: Ryan on for Flood.
79mins: Motherwell sub: Carswell on for Ojamaa
78mins: Almost the 3rd there as Murphy shoots toward the bottom corner. Cierzniak does well to tip wide.
76mins: Biggest sigh of relief all night as Russell volleys out the stadium. Need to regroup and dig in here.
71mins: United sub: Gardyne on for Rankin.
62mins: Backs to the wall stuff here! Soon won’t be able to type as my fingers will have been chewed off.
57mins: Should have been the equaliser! Skacel somehow blasts over from close range.
56mins: Russell with a cross that may be a shot…..flashes just past the post!
55mins: Long range shooting the order of the day in this half! Skacel next to try his luck but Randolph deals with his effort well.
54mins: First chance for ‘Well of the half. Murphy with an effort from 20 yards, parried out by Cierzniak low to his right.
51mins: All Uniited so far. Randolph has to look sharp to tip Rankin’s shot over the bar.
46mins: Teams back out and second half underway.
HALF TIME: Dundee Utd 1 -2 Motherwell
45mins: 1 minute added on.
41mins: Higdon unleashes a great effort from 30 yards which Cierzniak does well to tip over.
38mins: Hutchinson rightly booked for a high tackle on Skacel.
36mins: GOAL- Daly pulls one back for United.
31mins: Rankin from distance fails to trouble Randolph.
29mins: Skacel still aligning his sights as he can only blast over with his effort from 20 yards,
28mins: Strong claim for a penalty there from United after Armstrong looked to have been hauled down by Hateley!
23mins: Russell latches onto a long ball over the top. His volley is just wide of Randolph’s post.
19mins: Free-kick to ‘Well in line with the 6 yard box. Cierzniak beats the delivery away from Murphy’s feet.
15mins: Law judged to have handled the ball just outside the box. Gunning’s free-kick is tipped over.
14mins: Ojamaa hits the sidenetting after dispossessing Douglas. Unlucky.
12mins: After seeing Humphrey rasp one into the top corner, Hateley tries his luck from similar range. Not far past!
10mins: An absolute worldy from Humphrey puts ‘Well 2 up! Unbelievable finish from 25 yards!
WHAT A GOOAALLL!!!
9mins: Neat play between Ranking and Skacel allows the Czech space in the box to get a header off. Randolph gathers easily.
7mins: Ball was delivered into the box and missed by Murphy. This fooled everyone apart from Higdon who coolly lifted over Cierzniak!
GOOOAALLL! Michael Higdon opens the scoring!
5mins: Free-kick to United after Francis-Angol clatters Russell from behind. 25 yards out…Douglas curls straight to Randolph.
1min: Cummins heads Hateley’s delivery wide.
1min: Corner to Motherwell. Good early pressure from The Steelmen.
1mins: Kick-off to United – ‘Well switch it around and will shoot towards the “Shed” first-half.
Here come the teams! Seems like a decent ‘Well support from my position.
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:
“It’s nice to go away, score lots of goals and play great football but sometimes it’s about digging in.
“We had our backs to the wall at times. If I’m honest, United probably deserved a draw out of it.”
“There’s lots of different ways to win a game. It’s great to play open, attractive, entertaining football and go forward at every opportunity but you’ve got to give credit to them – they pushed us back.
“It was hard fought and we needed to dig in second half. We’ve got a lot of young lads in the back four and they did it well.
“To have a clean sheet for the second half – we’re absolutely delighted with that. I think we’ve won three on the bounce now away from home and it’s testament to the character.”
Dundee Utd manager Peter Houston:
“That’s five games on the trot we’ve gone behind. Now it’s beyond a joke. I don’t know if it’s a mental thing. I’m asking them questions and I’m not getting many answers.”
“It shouldn’t be like that and for the last four of five games it’s been like that. It would be hard for me to turn round and say they weren’t working hard enough or they weren’t chasing.
“They’re doing that, but unfortunately we’re giving ourselves mountains to climb.
“For 65 minutes we absolutely chased the game and it’s crisis management in the side – we’ve got to just battle on and try to get people forward.
“Even though I thought we deserved something from the game, we got nothing.”
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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Motherwell travel north to take on Dundee United at Tannadice in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
TEAMS:
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has a couple of injury doubts but was keeping tight-lipped over their identities.
Defender Steven Saunders remains on the sidelines for the Steelmen as he recovers from a kneeinjury but joined in training for the first time recently.
Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven will be missing for a month or more after suffering a fractured hand.
Defenders Sean Dillon and Gavin Gunning should shake off knocks to play but full-back Gregory Vignal has left the club for family reasons.
The confirmed teams will appear here just after 6.45pm.
TICKETS:
Tickets are still available on the gate at Tannadice. Admission is priced at:
ADULTS: £21 / £19
CONCESSIONS: £12 / £10
TRAVEL:
There are no anticipated travel problems between Motherwell and Edinburgh and the area in and around Fir Park is fairly clear.
WEATHER:
It will be a clear and cold evening in Dundee. Temperature highs in the Tayside area will be just 3 degrees Celsius (37 Fahrenheit).
FOLLOW THE MATCH:
Motherwell Media will bring you all the action from Tannadice. Graham Barnstaple and Alan Burrows will call every kick off the ball live on MFC TV.
You can also follow match updates on Twitter and join in the debate on our Facebook page.
If you are heading to tonight’s match, remember to check in and follow the Steelmen on Foursquare and listen out for Stuart McCall’s pre-match thoughts on Audioboo.
Darren Randolph has today (Tuesday) been served with a Notice of Complaint by the Scottish FA for an alleged breach of Rule 200.
The incident centers on Saturday’s match with Heart of Midlothian at Fir Park.
Compliance Officer Vincent Lunny has offered a fixed two-match suspension applicable across all competitions.
The club has until 3pm on Wednesday, 28th November 2012 to respond to the Notice of Complaint.
Should the offer of a fixed suspension be rejected, a Fast Track Tribunal will be convened on Thursday, 29th November 2012 to consider the complaint.
The management staff and player are currently considering their options.
‘Well boss Stuart McCall says he there is a determination amongst his squad to win at Tannadice and right wrongs of three weeks ago.
The Steelmen last faced Peter Houston’s side and slipped to a 1-0 home defeat despite creating numerous chances, including being denied by both the post and crossbar.
Talented Arabs hitman Johnny Russell separated the sides with an excellent header eight minutes from time and it’s something McCall is certain will be in the players’ minds ahead of tomorrow’s match.
[pullquote]We are well aware of their attacking threat but likewise they know we have good attacking players and our away form has been exceptional of late.[/pullquote]
He said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt we deserved something last time we played United. In fairness to Dundee United, they are getting the little things now that they weren’t getting earlier in the season.
“They’ve turned three draws against us, St Mirren and Ross County, into wins and that has been terrific for them.
“They’re showing good spirit and we are well aware of their attacking threat but likewise they know we have good attacking players and our away form has been exceptional of late.
“We certainly go to have a go at teams and try to score goals. It has been easier to play away from home this season; not that I’m saying it will be easy on Tuesday night but the shackles are certainly off when teams come at us and leave a little more space for us to play.”
